Re: Ballam, John from MA

Noticed you mentioned Ireland & Protestant.My Mother's G-grandfather was a Ballam. First name Duke (could be a surname used as a first name?) He emigrated to New Zealand in mid 1800's (don't know any details as to ship etc - family rumour that he ran away to sea from father?!) His father was a John Ballam, said to bea methodist lay preacher in County Roscommon. Let me know if you thinkthere could be a connection. I believe another son was still in Ireland after father died there. Perhaps there were other sons who also left Ireland for foreign ports?